Dinner and a Classic or Cult Movie has Never Been more Fun than at The Metrograph – NYC

By: Steve V. Rodriguez

Catching a flick used to be a fun outing with friends until over hyped blockbusters and umpteen sequels dominated our multiplex cinemas, plus it now seems like one needs to allot 25 extra minutes for too many trailers and commercials. Thank goodness for the current trend of offering customers an experience that has made it’s way into the movie going world. Movie theaters have popped up in more urban cities offering audiences the chance to see indie films, order cocktails that can be enjoyed during the film and even some that serve table side food service. A newer version that sprung up this past Spring, The Metrograph sits right in the heart of the Lower East Side of Manhattan, which features two bars, a swanky restaurant, a film book store, upscale food snacks and features classic and cult films that have impacted the movie industry.

The Metrograph has two moderate sized theaters that show archive-quality 35mm prints and new films where audience members can pre-select their seats online. On my two visits to The Metrograph I only had to sit through one trailer of a film that was also screening at the theater. Ultimately I ended up seeing that film on my subsequent visit.

The theater recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of Madonna’s “Truth or Dare” which kicked off with a post chat with director, Alex Keshishian that was moderated by Chelsea Handler. “Spa Night” has been held over after debuting at Sundance and was also the Narrative Centerpiece at the recent Outfest in Los Angeles. The original “Mad Max” will play this coming weekend as will the 1982 film, “Chan is Missing” featuring a talk with director, Wayne Wang.

Come early or stay after your film at The Metrograph and have a signature cocktail at one of the two bars. The Commissary is the restaurant upstairs at The Metrograph which harkens back to the 1940’s and 50’s, where diners can order classic caesar salads and entrees like Steak and Frites, which is what I ordered. The dish was perfectly cooked with an updated chimichurri sauce for added flavor. Cocktails are classic and the mood is friendly, fun and sexy.